City responds to lawsuit

The city of Waynesville released a statement Friday regarding a recent lawsuit.

The city of Waynesville and four current or former city employees are being sued for allegedly covering up the circumstances surrounding a death in 2010.

Kelsey West filed a civil suit on Thursday against former Waynesville Police officer Gary Brankel, Police Chief Robert Carter, Assistant Police Chief Clarence Liberty, dog catcher Brandon Robertson, and the city of Waynesville, accusing the city officials of covering up circumstances surrounding Rhonda West's death, which took place on Jan. 31, 2010.

The city of Waynesville said in the statement it “regrets the 2010 death of Rhonda West and sends our sympathies to her family.”

The city of Waynesville said that it had requested an independent investigation by the Missouri State Highway Patrol “as soon as these allegations came to light” and it is awaiting a final report from the investigation that has been going on for several months.

“The City also wants the truth and will request that appropriate authorities prosecute any possible criminal offenses,” the press release said. “However, we do not condone baseless accusations against innocent people and the damaging of their reputations.”

The City said it will make a full and complete report upon receipt of the MSHP report.

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